Budweiser, Michelob diluted, lawsuits say

Allegations are based on claims from former employees

Bud Light beer is among the 10 Anheuser-Busch products that are watered down and do not contain as much alcohol as shown on the labels, a $5 million class-action suit says.

PHILADELPHIA - Beer lovers across the U.S. have accused Anheuser-Busch of watering down its Budweiser, Michelob and other brands in class-action suits seeking millions in damages.

The suits, filed in Pennsylvania, California and other states, claim consumers have been cheated out of the alcohol content stated on labels. Budweiser and Michelob each boast of being 5 percent alcohol, while some "light" versions are said to be just over 4 percent.

The lawsuits are based on information from former employees at the company's 13 U.S. breweries, some in high-level plant positions, says lead lawyer Josh Boxer of San Rafael, Calif.

"Our information comes from former employees at Anheuser-Busch, who have informed us that as a matter of corporate practice, all of their products mentioned (in the lawsuit) are watered down," Boxer said. "It's a simple cost-saving measure, and it's very significant." The excess water is added just before bottling and cuts the stated alcohol content by from 3 percent to 8 percent, he said.

Anheuser-Busch InBev called the claims "groundless" and said its beers fully comply with labeling laws.

"Our beers are in full compliance with all alcohol-labeling laws. We proudly adhere to the highest standards in brewing our beers, which have made them the best-selling in the U.S. and the world," said Peter Kraemer, vice president of brewing and supply.

In an interview, Boxer said he has evidence to corroborate the former employees' allegations, but stopped short of saying the beers had been independently tested.